DAZZLER READING ORDER: Live! Tonight! Sold Out! (1980-1990)

Tapping in to the disco craze just a few years too late, Dazzler was created by Tom DeFalco, Roger Stern & John Romita Jr and made her debut during Chris Claremont & John Byrne's X-Men run. She was originally based on Bo Derek until Marvel's collaboration with Casablanca Records who were going to release an album and a film that tied in with the comic. The deal fell through, but the character still gained her own ongoing series which basically functioned as a team-up book for a mutant singer with light-based powers desperately trying to avoid becoming a superhero. While the series may have seemed fairly disposable, the latter issues had a major impact on the mutant community when Alison Blaire's desire for fame and fortune inadvertently increases anti-mutant sentiment.

Marvel's editorial planned to include Dazzler in the mid-80s series X-Factor following the cancellation of her own title. She was instead replaced by the resurrected Jean Grey, but only languished in limbo for a short time before relenting and becoming a member of the X-Men in what would turn out to be one of their darker periods...

MCG Notes:

• Issue listings in blue & black: The must-read Dazzler stories from this time period, along with any key related stories and often-forgotten tales that are worth a read.
• Issue listings in grey: Cameo appearances or stories that are non-essential, not as strong or no longer considered 'required reading'.
• Chronology: Every appearance of Dazzler from this period is included in chronological order, mapping out their timeline rather than just the order the issues were released.
• Spoilers: The issue/story overviews may include spoilers, so be warned!
• WANT TO KEEP IT SIMPLE? Scroll down to THE CORE LIST to see a version of this reading order without story descriptions, page-by-page breakdowns or less important appearances - just a list of the essentials.

X-Men #130-131 (1980)

First appearance of Dazzler/Alison Blaire and the Hellfire Club Mansion; the X-Men and the Hellfire Club both try to recruit Dazzler; Dazzler helps the X-Men rescue their teammates who were captured by the Club, but she turns down Professor X's offer to join the team in favour of focusing on her singing career.

The Iron Age #3 (2011)

The Iron Age Omega #1 (2011)

Dazzler encounters Iron Man from the future who's travelled through time to stop Donald Birch from harnessing the power of the Phoenix during THE IRON AGE.

Classic X-Men #37[2/2]-38[2/2] (1989)

Dazzler meets up with friends who try to convince her to become a superhero; a creepy man tries to kidnap Dazzler.

Amazing Spider-Man #203 (1980)

Lightmaster latches on to Dazzler as a means of escaping the dimension he's trapped in; the strange situation causes Dazzler to lash out at Spider-Man when he tries to help.

Dazzler #1-2 (1981)

First appearance of Bella Blaire, Carter Blaire, Cassandra Ferlenghetti & Harry Osgood; first cameo appearance (in a photo) of Katherine Blaire; Spider-Man saves Dazzler from thugs; Beast alerts Dazzler to an audition that may help  her dwindling singing career and help her avoid joining the X-Men; the Enchantress is beaten by Dazzler at the audition and tries to gain her revenge by ruining the show, unleashing a horde of demons on the Avengers, Fantastic Four and the X-Men who are they to watch the show.

Fantastic Four #217 (1980)

The Human Torch and Dazzler get close at a club; the Torch is called away to deal with an emergency at the Baxter Building.

Dazzler #3-5 (1981)

First appearance of Blue Shield/Joseph Cartelli, Paul Jansen & Lance Steele; Dazzler turns down the Human Torch's advances while Mister Fantastic tests her powers; Doctor Doom takes Dazzler prisoner, taking her to Nightmare's realm in his search for the Merlin Stones; the Human Torch comes to Dazzler's aid; Dazzler and crime-busting Blue Shield take on the Terror Tank.

Uncanny X-Men #148 (1981)

First appearance of Caliban; Dazzler helps calm the crowd when Caliban kidnaps Sprite of the X-Men at one of her shows.

Dazzler #6-7 (1981)

First appearance of Beefer/Forsyth Wellington, Hunch/Phil Panasci, Marx & Techmaster/Billy Bitzer; the Hulk crashes Dazzler's gig at Gordon University; Dazzler takes more of an interest in Dr Paul Jensen than the Human Torch; the Enforcers are hired to kidnap Dazzler's agent, Harry Osgood.

Avengers #211 (1981)

Moondragon coerces a number of heroes - including Dazzler - to show up at Avengers Mansion for consideration in a membership drive, all against their will.

Marvel Team-Up #108-109 (1981)

First appearance of Thermo the Thermatronic Man/Walter Michaels; Spider-Man and Paladin's fight with Thermo the Thermotronic Man - who's struggling to control his powers - crashes through the theatre where Dazzler is preparing for a show; Dazzler helps them bring Thermo under control.

Cage! #3-4 (2017)

Dazzler is among the heroes trapped on the Island of No Return by Professor Soos.

Dazzler #8 (1981)

Dazzler comes to Harry Osgood's aid when the Enforcers' attack, revealing her mutant powers to him; Techmaster's origin is revealed; Dazzler is led into a car by men who've been following her...

Dazzler #9-11 (1981-1982)

Dazzler is blackmailed by Project PEGASUS into letting them examine her light powers; when Klaw escapes, Dazzler absorbs him to gain the power to escape, only to be taken by Galactus who needs her power to retrieve Terrax the Tamer from a black hole; Dazzler uses the feelings Galactus has for her to convince him to give Terrax another chance during BEHOLD... GALACTUS!

Dazzler #12-16 (1982)
First appearance of Kenneth Barnett; Techmaster returns in an attempt to kill Harry Osgood himself; Paul Jensen struggles with his relationship with Dazzler, especially when she's accused of murdering Klaw and spends a night at Ryker's Island prison where she has a run-in with the Grapplers; Dazzler teams up with the Blue Shield against mobsters who turns a brainwashed She-Hulk against them both; Dazzler hires Spider-Woman to help her find her mother, only for them both to become trapped in a SHIELD training facility; when the Enchantress demands a rematch, Odin makes her and Dazzler put on a show in Asgard which Dazzler wins.

Avengers #221 (1982)

Dazzler is among the female superhumans invited by the Wasp for consideration for Avengers membership; Dazzler and Spider-Woman struggle to put their recent issues aside; the female heroes prove their mettle against the Mechano-Marauder, but Dazzler ultimately opts out of joining the Avengers.

Dazzler #17-21 (1982)
First appearance of Nick Brown, Doctor Sax/Jack Dulouz, Johnny Guitar/Jonathan Logan, Lois London (flashback, cameo) & Vanessa Tooks; first full appearance of Katherine Blaire (also as Barbara London); Dazzler agrees to go on a date with Angel but, despite proving how well they work against Doctor Octopus, she decides to remain with lawyer Ken Barnett; Angel still helps Dazzler search for her mother; the Absorbing Man absorbs Dazzler's light powers. so she turns to the Inhumans for help; Black Bolt's voice supercharges Dazzler to defeat the Absorbing Man; Dazzler's bandmates are attacked by Doctor Sax & Johnny Guitar; Dazzler finally finds her mother and learns she has a sister.

Contest of Champions #1 (1982)

Dazzler cameo; Dazzler is among the superhumans assembled by the Grandmaster and his mysterious competitor to take part in the 'Contest of Champions'.

Dazzler #22-28 (1982-1983)

First full appearance of Lois London; Dazzler and Angel are attacked by Mystique and Rogue over their affiliation with the X-Men; Mystique hires the arsonist Flame to burn down Dazzler's apartment and recording studio; Dazzler hires Power Man & Iron Fist as bodyguards in time to fend off Rogue's next attack; Dazzler deals with a stalker; Lois London exhibits dark mutant powers, prompting Henry Peter Gyrich to send Sentinels after her; Rogue returns for a rematch with Dazzler.

Dazzler #29-34 (1983-1984)

Marvel Graphic Novel #12: Dazzler the Movie (1984)

Dazzler #35

Beauty and the Beast #1-4 (1984)

First appearance of Eric Beale, the Gladiators, Roman Nekoboh, Max Rocker, Freddie Stanachek, Ivich Williamson & the Underground Mutant Theatre; Dazzler becomes an overnight success with the release of her first album and is approached (and harrassed) by aging film star and singer Roman Nekoboh, hoping to use her career to boost his own; Dazzler fends off an attack on Nekoboh's private plane from fighter jets; agents of the US Government use a device that causes mutants' powers to flare out of control, including Dazzler's and one of the soldier's ordered to bring her in; Dazzler's growing career takes her to Hollywood; Dazzler assists the Inhumans against Moonstone & Blackout; Dazzler stars in a film alongside Roman Nekoboh who outs Dazzler as a mutants; the film's producer Eric Beale becomes obsessed with Dazzler and holds the film to ransom, though she chooses to allow him to destroy the masterpiece rather than become his slave; while trying to lay low, Dazzler - reunited with the Beast - is drawn into an underground mutant fighting arena, run by Alexander Flynn who claims to be the son of Doctor Doom during DAZZLER: THE MOVIE.

Dazzler #36-37 (1985)

Dazzler takes on a false identity and a singing job and discovers the origin of Tatterdemalion; Dazzler is drawn into another conflict with Revenge Inc.

Dazzler #38 (1985)

First appearance of Cerberus, O.Z. Chase & Dust; Dazzler relents and turns to the X-Men for training; Professor X gives her a new costume that absorbs and holds sound to fuel her powers; bounty hunter OZ Chase is hired to apprehend Dazzler during THE CHASE.

Wolverine/Nick Fury: The Scorpio Connection (1989)

Dazzler cameo.

New Mutants #29 (1985)

Dazzler agrees to help the New Mutants rescue their friends from the Underground Mutant Theatre during UNDERGROUND MUTANT THEATRE.

Secret Wars II #1 (1985)

New Mutants #30 (1985)

Magneto summons the New Mutants and Dazzler to face the Beyonder when he arrives on Earth; Dazzler and others battle Thundersword ; the Beyonder follows Dazzler and the New Mutants back to LA to observe them infiltrating the Underground Mutant Theatre during SECRET WARS II / UNDERGROUND MUTANT THEATRE.

New Mutants #31 (1985)

Dazzler is manipulated into turning against the New Mutants until the team discover who's really running the Underground Mutant Theatre during UNDERGROUND MUTANT THEATRE.

Dazzler #39 (1985)

Deathgrip tries to kill Dazzler, blaming her for his daughter's catatonic state during THE CHASE.

Secret Wars II #4 (1986)

Dazzler #40 (1986)

First appearance of Algrim as Kurse; the Beyonder becomes infatuated with Dazzler and tries to win her heart; the Beyonder helps Dazzler fend off Dust and Silence's agents, the Outriders, during SECRET WARS II / THE CHASE.

Dazzler #41 (1986)

OZ Chase turns against Dust when he reveals his intentions to use Dazzler as a host body during THE CHASE.

Dazzler #42 (1986)

The Beast arrives as Dazzler and OZ Chase has her final confrontation with Silence and the New Wave; the world is led to believe Dazzler is dead; Beast makes Dazzler an offer during THE CHASE / THIRD GENESIS.

Marvel Heartbreakers #1 (2010) [digital comic]
Dazzler turns down the Beast's offer to join his new team; despite becoming close in their fight against Doctor Doom and the Gladiators, Dazzler and Beast share one more intimate moment before parting ways.
MCG Note: Collected in print in the one-shot Marvel Heartbreakers #1 (2010).

New Mutants #42 (1986)

First appearance of Cissie Guthrie (not named), Elizabeth Guthrie, Lewis Guthrie, Melody Guthrie & the Guthrie Farmhouse; Dazzler cameo; Dazzler is revealed to have joined Lila Cheney's band as a backing singer, wearing a disguise.

Uncanny X-Men #210, 213 (1986)

First appearance of Malice/Alice MacAllister; first shadowed appearance of the Marauders (including the debut of Arclight, Harpoon, Scalphunter & Scrambler); first appearance of Malice; Dazzler is attacked by Malice on Lila Cheney's tour bus during MUTANT MASSACRE.

Uncanny X-Men #214 (1987) 

Malice takes full control of Dazzler, who unleashes her powers in the middle of one of Lila Cheney's shows; the X-Men exorcise Malice from Dazzler who then accepts Storm's offer for membership in the team during MUTANT MASSACRE.

Mephisto Vs #3-4 (1987)

Mephisto attacks the X-Men, making a play for Rogue's soul; Longshot returns to the X-Men, fighting alongside Dazzler during MEPHISTO VS.

Uncanny X-Men #215-216 (1987)

First appearance of Crimson Commando/Frank Bohannan, Stonewall/Louis Hamilton & Super Sabre/Martin Fletcher; Longshot officially joins the X-Men alongside Dazzler. 

Uncanny X-Men #217-218 (1987)

While visiting Scotland, Dazzler goes after the Juggernaut to prove herself to the X-Men; she's eventually aided by her new teammates, though they realise Juggernaut's rampage was a ruse; Dazzler addresses her previous conflicts with Rogue.

Uncanny X-Men #228 (1988)

Flashback: Dazzler is reunited with OZ Chase.

Marvel Fanfare #38[2/3] (1988)

Rogue and Dazzler get a chance to put their past enmities behind them.

Strange Tales #9[1/2] (1987)

Cloak has become separated from Dagger, losing that light that feeds his darkness; Dazzler tries to help Cloak, but her power isn't enough to sustain him and he fights the urge to steal her lifeforce.

Uncanny X-Men #219 (1987)

Havok seeks out the X-Men at the Xavier School for Gifted Youngsters and finds a line-up he doesn't fully recognise associating with Magneto; Havok initially panics, but soon finds himself rejoining the team.

Fantastic Four Versus the X-Men #1-4 (1987)

Dazzler and Longshot begin to get closer; against Dazzler's wishes, the X-Men make a deal with Doctor Doom that could save Shadowcat's life; the situation brings the X-Men into conflict with the Fantastic Four and Dazzler finds herself facing off against She-Hulk.

X-Men vs the Avengers #1-4(pp.1-16) (1987)

The X-Men defend Magneto when the Avengers are tasked with apprehending him; Dazzler faces off against both Captain America and Thor at the same time; Magneto stands trial again.

Marvels: Eye of the Camera #5 (2009)

Dazzler cameo; Phil Sheldon watches the televised trial of Magneto.

X-Men vs the Avengers #4(pp.17-28) (1987)

The result of Magneto's trial only heightens anti-mutant hysteria.

X-Men Annual #11 (1987)

The X-Men, Captain Britain & Meggan are manipulated by Horde into entering an other-dimensional Citadel of Light and Shadow to obtain the Crystal of Ultimate Vision for him.

X-Men and Spider-Man #2 (2009)

Spider-Man discovers clues about Mister Sinister and his dealings with Kraven the Hunter; Spidey and the X-Men investigate further, which results in another clash in the sewers with the Marauders.

Uncanny X-Men #221-224 (1987)

First full appearance of Mister Sinister; the X-Men rush to Madelyne Pryor's aid when her life is threatened by the Marauders who have made the Malice-possessed Polaris their newest member; the X-Men learn of Destiny's prophecy that they will die in Dallas, Texas during THE FALL OF THE MUTANTS.

Incredible Hulk #340 (1987)

Dazzler cameo; the X-Men continue their journey to Dallas during THE FALL OF THE MUTANTS.

Uncanny X-Men #225-227 (1988)

First appearance of Manoli Wetherell; Colossus returns to the X-Men who are trying to find Storm in Dallas; Freedom Force briefly arrest Rogue and Dazzler as part of Mystique's efforts to save Rogue's life; the X-Men face the Adversary who kidnaps Roma and plans to remake reality and rule the new Earth; the X-Men and Maddie Pryor volunteer to sacrifice their lives as part of Forge's ritual to trap the Adversary in another dimension; Roma restores the X-Men who decide to let the world believe they're dead during THE FALL OF THE MUTANTS.

Uncanny X-Men #229-230 (1988)

First appearance of Gateway, Jessán Hoan, the Reavers (Bonebreaker, Pretty Boy & Skullbuster) and the Reavers' Base; the X-Men rescue Hong Kong financial expert Jessán Hoan from the cyborg Reavers, destroying all but three of them; the X-Men ally with the Reavers' mutant teleporter, Gateway, and adopt their Outback headquarters.

Uncanny X-Men #231 (1988)

Dazzler cameo; Dazzler and the X-Men make themselves at home in the Outback.

Alpha Flight #61 (1988)

Dazzler cameo; the X-Men watch the televised coverage of Alpha Flight's trial.

Marvel Age Annual #4[2/4] (1988)

Dazzler cameo; Wolverine goes over the current status of the various mutant teams.

Uncanny X-Men #232-234 (1988)

First appearance of Madelyne Pryor's Goblin Queen persona; the X-Men head to Colorado to confront a band of mutants infected by the alien Brood.

Uncanny X-Men Annual #12[1/3] (1988)

First appearance of Matthew Plunder and Peter; the X-Men are transported to the what's left of the Savage Land; the High Evolutionary aids the team in learning the true identity of the rampaging 'Terminus'; Garokk sacrifices himself to help the Evolutionary restore the Savage Land during THE EVOLUTIONARY WAR.

Uncanny X-Men #235-238 (1988)

First appearance of Chief Tam Anderson, the Genegineer/David Moreau, the Genoshan Magistrates, the Genoshan Mutates, Philip Moreau, the Press Gang (Hawkshaw, Pipeline/Cormick Grimshaw, Punchout & Wipeout), Jennifer Ransome and Genosha; the X-Men learn of the existence of the island nation of Genosha who use mutants as slaves.

Marvel Comics Presents #16[3/3] (1989)

Dazzler cameo; the X-Men find Longshot asleep after a bizarre experience.

Uncanny X-Men #239-242 (1988-1989)

X-Factor #38 (1989)

Uncanny X-Men #243 (1989)

X-Factor #39 (1989)

First full appearance of Madelyne Pryor as the Goblin Queen; first appearance of Dark Angel/Warren Worthington III as Archangel; Dazzler and Rogue fight over Longshot; Maddie Pryor convinces the X-Men to head to New York to retrieve her son; there, they encounter the Marauders, X-Factor (the five original X-Men rebranded) and a demonic invasion; the Goblin Queen subverts the X-Men, turning them against X-Factor; Dazzler and her fellow X-Men destroy the demon N'astirh; the Xavier School for Gifted Youngsters is destroyed in a final confrontation with Mister Sinister during INFERNO.

Uncanny X-Men #244 (1989)

Uncanny X-Men Annual #13[2/3] (1989)

First appearance of Jubilee/Jubilation Lee; the female members of the X-Men have some downtime and go shopping, not realising a stowaway has hopped back with the to the Reavers' base during JUBILATION DAY.

Punisher #18 (1989)

Dazzler cameo; the X-Men walk unnoticed through New York.

Uncanny X-Men #245 (1989)

The male members of the X-Men have some downtime; Dazzler gives Colossus a makeover to hide his metal skin.

Uncanny X-Men Annual #13[1/3] (1989)

Mister Jip swaps Dazzler and Diamondback's bodies, promising to restore them if they locate some mystical artefacts on his behalf during ATLANTIS ATTACKS.

Uncanny X-Men #246-248 (1989)

Wolverine #21 (1990)

Uncanny X-Men #249-251 (1989)

First appearance of Whiteout and Worm; while Wolverine is away, Dazzler is forced to sacrifice Rogue to the Siege Perilous when the team are attacked by the Master Mold Sentinel; Longshot leaves the X-Men to find himself; the X-Men witness the death of Storm after an encounter with Nanny & Orphan-Maker; as the last remaining X-Men, Dazzler, Havok, Colossus & Psylocke go on a failed mission to rescue Polaris from the Savage Land; Wolverine returns to the Outback to an ambush set by Donald Pierce and the Reavers; to escape the Reavers, Dazzler and the remaining X-Men were coerced through the Siege Perilous by Psylocke during DISSOLUTION & REBIRTH.

Uncanny X-Men #259-260 (1990)

Emerging from the Siege Perilous with no memory of her past, Dazzler is discovered by Guido Carosella and Lila Cheney; she's reunited with Freddie Stanachek who has the last surviving copy of her film; Dazzler agrees to allow her film to be released in order to draw Eric Beale out, only to end up being kidnapped and beaten by Beale; Dazzler uses her dwindling powers to calm Beale and convince him not to kill her.

A version of this reading order without story descriptions, page-by-page breakdowns or less important appearances - just the primary Dazzler stories:

• X-Men #130-131
• Classic X-Men #37-38
• Amazing Spider-Man #203
• Dazzler #1-16
• Avengers #221
• Dazzler #17-34
• Marvel Graphic Novel #12: Dazzler the Movie
• Dazzler #35
• Beauty and the Beast #1-4
• Dazzler #36-38
• New Mutants #29
• Secret Wars II #1
• New Mutants #30-31
• Dazzler #39
• Secret Wars II #4
• Dazzler #40-42
• Marvel Heartbreakers #1
• Uncanny X-Men #210
• Uncanny X-Men #213-314
• Uncanny X-Men #217-218
• Marvel Fanfare #38
• Strange Tales #9
• Uncanny X-Men #219
• Fantastic Four Versus the X-Men #1-4
• X-Men vs the Avengers #1-4
• X-Men Annual #11
• X-Men and Spider-Man #2
• Uncanny X-Men #221-230
• Uncanny X-Men #232-234
• Uncanny X-Men Annual #12
• Uncanny X-Men #235-242
• X-Factor #38
• Uncanny X-Men #243
• X-Factor #39
• Uncanny X-Men #244-251
• Uncanny X-Men #259-260

Dazzler's complete comics history will continue in these reading orders:

• 1992-2010: Revolution Calling
• 2011-2019: Agent Blaire

Notable alternate universe versions of Dazzler:

EARTH-8207

What If? #33[1/2] (1982)

Galactus goes against Dazzler's advice and punishes Terrax - his rogue Herald - by banishing him into a black hole; Dazzler becomes the new Herald of Galactus.

MOJOVERSE

Uncanny X-Men Annual #12[2/3] (1988)ea apparent death of the real X-Men; versions of Dazzler appear in each variation which include the 'Naughty' X-Men, X-Formers, X-Animals and a new team of X-Babies.

Other reading orders that also feature Dazzler:

• DOCTOR DOOM: Doom-Kristoff War (1982-1991)
• NEW MUTANTS: Renewal (1982-1985)
• SPIDER-WOMAN: Jessica Drew (1977-1984)
• X-MEN: Outback (1987-1990)